Smag31 Gin-pressed cucumber · ½ cucumber, peeled · 25ml gin How to do it 1. Cut the cucumber into cubes and remove all seeds. Place in a sealable plastic bag and add the gin. Remove all air from the bag and seal. 2. Set aside in the fridge to infuse, about 2 hours, and then drain … Read more
Confit cherry tomatoes Confit cherry tomatoes · 8 cherry tomatoes · 200ml olive oil · 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled · Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste How to do it 1. Add all of the ingredients to a sealable plastic bag and close it, making sure no air is left in the bag … Read more
Greek salad dressing · ½ medium onion · 5ml (1 tsp) fresh parsley · 5ml (1 tsp) fresh thyme · 5ml (1 tsp) fresh oregano · 5ml (1 tsp) fresh basil · 400ml olive oil · 400ml vegetable oil · 5ml (1 tsp) garlic paste or 1 garlic clove, finely chopped · 45ml (3 tbsp) … Read more
Fillet with caramelised onions on a bed of cabbage with butternut sauce The flavour combinations marinade · 150ml olive oil · 100ml balsamic vinegar · 10ml (2 tsp) fresh thyme · 2 garlic cloves, crushed · 2 x 250g beef fillets Caramelised onions · 2 red onions, peeled and cut into 6 wedges each · … Read more
Mom’s fluffy banana loaf Mom’s fluffy banana loaf The flavour combinations · 240g (2 cups) cake flour · 2,5ml (½ tsp) baking powder · 3,75ml bicarbonate of soda · 2,5ml (½ tsp) salt · 115g (½ cup) unsalted butter · 200g (1 cup) sugar · 2 eggs · 5ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract · 60ml … Read more
White chocolate and fig mousse The flavour combinations · 9 (15g) gelatin leaves · 300g white chocolate · 325ml fresh cream · 4 extra large egg yolks, whisked · 8 ripe figs, puréed · Powdered gold food colouring, to serve · Fresh figs, to serve How to do it White chocolate and fig mousse 1. … Read more
Apple rose tartlets Apple rose tartlets The flavour combinations: 125g shortcrust pastry Lemon mousse filling · 250ml (1cup) double thick cream · 20ml (4 tsp) fresh lemon juice · 20ml (4 tsp) lemon zest · 50g castor sugar Apple rose petals · 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored · 125ml (½ cup) rose water … Read more
Poached peach and rosé trifle Poached peach and rosé trifle The flavour combinations meringues · 90g egg whites · Pinch of salt · 180g castor sugar · 100g honeycomb Peaches · 6 white-flesh peaches, halved and stones removed · 750ml (3cups) dry rosé wine · 1 cinnamon stick · 9 (15g) gelatin leaves Crème anglaise … Read more
Cranberry Bavarian creams Cranberry Bavarian creams The flavour combinations · 180g frozen cranberries, thawed +100g extra, to serve · Juice of 1 lemon · 30ml (2tbsp) cold water · 2 egg yolks · 100g castor sugar · 100ml milk · 6 (10g) gelatin leaves · 100ml whipping cream How to do it 1. Grease 4 … Read more
Watermelon poached pears with sabayon The flavour combinations · 6 pears, peeled and cored · 1L watermelon juice · 1 vanilla pod, split · 200g (1 cup) sugar · 4 egg yolks · 60ml (¼ cup) castor sugar · 125ml (½ cup) sparkling wine Watermelon poached pears with sabayon How to do it … Read more
Vanilla and rose mini cakes Vanilla and rose mini cakes The flavour combinations sponge · 250g butter · 250g castor sugar · 5ml (1tsp) vanilla extract · 4 extra large eggs · 250g cake flour · 7ml baking powder · pinch of salt · 60ml (¼ cup) milk Icing · 125g butter · 500g icing … Read more
Hubbard squash is always a good indicator that cold weather is on its way Hubbard squash profiteroles with creamy mushrooms The largest of the winter squash, hubbards are often cut up and sold in chunks because of their size. Their hard skin means they store well though–up to six months if the temperature is low … Read more
Rum flambéed prawns with tamarind and caramel dip Rum flambéed prawns with tamarind and caramel dip The flavour combinations tamarind and caramel dip · 120g brown sugar · 150g smooth seedless tamarind paste · 175ml coconut milk · 25ml fish sauce · 2,5ml (½ tsp) fresh chilli, chopped + extra, to serve · 18 jumbo … Read more
White fish with rum and currant cream The flavour combinations · 1,2kg fresh white firm-fleshed fish, like sea bass, yellowtail or red roman · 10ml (2 tsp) fresh thyme leaves + extra, to serve · 25g butter · 25ml olive oil · 2 strips lemon peel · 70g (½ cup) currants · 125ml (½ cup) … Read more
Vanilla and rum roasted bananas with coconut custard The flavour combinations · 12 medium bananas, unpeeled · 170g (1 cup) soft brown sugar · 90g butter · Juice of ½ lemon · 2 vanilla pods, split and seeds removed · 175ml dark rum · Pinch of sea salt flakes · 500ml (2 cups) coconut cream … Read more
Seared duck with rum, litchis and Javanese pepper Seared duck with rum, litchis and Javanese pepper The flavour combinations · 6 medium duck breasts, skin on · 2 – 3 Javanese peppercorns or 5ml (1 tsp) mixed peppercorns, crushed · 125ml (½ cup) dark rum · 25ml raw or soft brown sugar · 5ml (1 … Read more
Cardamom and ginger-spiced mandarin and semolina cake An amazingly easy cake that has so many levels of flavour. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature Cardamom and ginger-spiced mandarin and semolina cake The flavour combinations citrus syrup · 100g (½ cup) sugar · 15ml (1 tbsp) fresh lemon juice · 30ml (2 tbsp) … Read more
Roasted quail with cranberry and pistachio stuffing and a honey and mandarin glaze Quails are tiny little birds – for lighter eaters you can get away with 1 quail per person but otherwise it is best to serve 2 quails each Roasted quail with cranberry and pistachio stuffing and a honey and mandarin glaze The … Read more
Mandarin and cherry tart with cinnamon and vanilla custard These are easy to bake and the rustic look is perfect for those who are a little nervous when it comes to baking tarts. The more rustic it looks, the better! The flavour combinations custard – makes 1L · 500ml (2 cups) fresh cream · 500ml … Read more
Maple-roasted mandarin and biltong salad The sweetness of the mandarins against the salty biltong and peppery rocket is a match made in culinary heaven Maple-roasted mandarin and biltong salad The flavour combinations · 2 mandarins, peeled, but kept whole · 45ml (3 tbsp) maple syrup · Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste · … Read more